Mobile printer networking and interfacing

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The printer, for example, can be coupled with one or more docks and/or other accessory devices, examples of which are also discussed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/085,431, filed Apr. 12, 2011 which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,987, filed May 18,2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/323,264, filed Apr. 12,2010, which are all herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD

Embodiments discussed herein are related to printers and, moreparticularly, to systems, methods, apparatuses, computer readable mediaproducts and other means for providing mobile printer networking andrelated functionality.

BACKGROUND

Printers are designed and known to be used in traditional officeenvironments. Some printers have a more portable design that allows themto be used for many other applications beyond traditional officeprinting, such as printing customer receipts at the point of delivery,price tags at product display shelves, shipment labels, parking garagereceipts, adhesive labels, law enforcement tickets, and gas and utilityinspection documents at people's homes. Through applied effort,ingenuity, and innovation, various printer improvements are embodied bythe present invention, examples of which are discussed below.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments discussed herein are related to a printer, dock and/orother electrical devices that can comprise a battery interfaceconfigured to receive power from at least two types of batteries. Thebattery interface can comprise at least two contacts. The first contactcan be, for example, a chemistry pin that is unused when a first type ofbattery is installed in the device, but used with the second type ofbattery installed in the device. The second contact can be, for example,a charging pin that is used with both the first type of battery and thesecond type of battery.

In addition to the battery interface, the device can include controlcircuitry configured to determine whether the first contact is coupledto a battery, determine whether the second contact is coupled to thebattery, determine whether the battery coupled with the batteryinterface is of the second type based on the first signal and the secondsignal, and/or operate in a smart battery mode in response todetermining the battery is of the second type, among other things.Instructions describing functionality associated with the mode can bestored in memory (e.g., that is included in the printer, included in thebattery, and/or stored remotely at a network database). A smart battery,for example, can provide a higher voltage and include its own circuitry(e.g., control circuitry, communications circuitry and/or memory, amongother things), and the smart battery mode of the printer can cause theprinter to be configured to utilize these features of the smart battery.For example, a smart battery can provide additional information to theprinter, which the printer may be configured to process and/or transmit(e.g., relay) to the network for fleet management purposes.

When the second contact is unused, the device can determine the batteryis of the first type and be configured to operate in a traditionalbattery mode. For example, the device can draw or provide power withoutattempting further communications with the battery. The amount of powerdrawn can also be determined by the printer's mode. For example, thetraditional battery mode may draw or provide lower power from/to thebattery than when in smart battery mode. Instructions describingfunctionality associated with the traditional battery mode can be storedin memory (e.g., that is included in the printer and/or stored remotelyat a network database).

Some embodiments may also include a printer, comprising: a battery; awireless communications component; an interface component and controlcircuitry. The interface component can be configured to electrically orelectromechanically couple (sometimes referred to herein as “mating”)with a docking station and/or facilitate a wired network connection.

The control circuitry can be configured to determine when the interfacecomponent is mated with the docking station. In response to determiningthe interface component is mated with the docking station, the controlcircuitry can be further configured to: cease wireless communicationswith the wireless communications component; facilitate wiredcommunications with a remote network server via the interface component,the wired communications including communications to determine whetheran update is available for the printer; determine whether the battery isto be charged via the interface component; and in response todetermining the battery is to be charged, facilitate the charging of thebattery.

The control circuitry can be further configured to disable printingfunctionality of the printer in response to determining the interfacecomponent is mated with the docking station.

The control circuitry can be further configured to determine theinterface component is mated with the docking station in response toreceiving a signal from a docking indicator pin included in theinterface component. The docking indicator pin may be and/or functionthe same or similar to the battery type indicator contact discussedabove (e.g., the chemistry pin). In response to being docked, a signalprovided over the docking indicator pin can cause the generation of aninterrupt command.

The printer's control circuitry can be further configured to initiatewireless communications using the wireless communications component inresponse to determining the interface component has been unmated withthe docking station. A determination can be made that the printer hasbeen unmated with the docking station when, for example, the printerstops receiving a signal from the docking indicator pin, an undockingsignal is received, power from the dock is discontinued and/or anycombination thereof, among other things.

Wired communications can be conducted while the printer is docked. Forexample, the wired communications may include downloading of printerfirmware, updating printer configurations, downloading of printer fontsand graphics (and/or other copyrighted or protected information),facilitating diagnostic testing of the printer from a remote machine(such as a networked host device), and performing remote management ofthe printer (e.g., a remote host device providing technical support tothe printer), among other things. Some of the actions executed over thewired communications may be prohibited by the printer and/or the otherdevice(s) in the system. The wired communications may also includefunctionality that can be provided wirelessly.

The control circuitry of the printer can be configured to provideinformation about the battery to a remote machine. For example, thebattery information can include the battery's age, the battery's chargelevel, a health indicator associated with the battery, and an indicationas to whether reconditioning is recommended for the battery, among otherthings.

Some embodiments may also include a system comprising two or moreprinters, where the first printer comprises: printing componentsconfigured to facilitate the printing of indicia; a first communicationscomponent configured to facilitate network communications with a sourcedevice; a second communications component configured to facilitatecommunications with a second printer; and control circuitry. The controlcircuitry can be configured to: receive print instructions from thefirst communications component; control the printing components to printindicia based on the print instructions; receive a command from thefirst communications component; determine that the command is for thesecond printer; and in response to determining the command is for thesecond printer, routing the command to the second printer via the secondcommunications port.

The first communications component can be configured to provide wirelesscommunications. In some embodiments, the second communications componentcan be configured to provide wired communications, such as those via auniversal serial bus (“USB”) connection component. In some embodiments,the second communications component can be configured to providewireless communications, such as those that use a Bluetooth connectioncomponent.

The second printer can include its own: printing components that areconfigured to facilitate the printing of indicia; at least twocommunications component(s) configured to facilitate networkcommunications with the first printer, including receiving a printand/or other commands from the first printer as well as to facilitatecommunications with a third printer included in the system; and controlcircuitry configured to route data to the third printer via the secondprinter's communications port. The second printer's control circuitrycan be further configured to receive one or more commands from the firstprinter's communications component(s); determine that the command isalso for the third printer; and in response to determining the commandis for the third printer, routing the command to the third printer viathe second communications port.

The first printer can be configured to be a Bluetooth master device andthe second printer and the third printer can be configured to beBluetooth slave devices. In some embodiments, the first printer can beinstalled on a mobile print cart with or without the second and/or thirdprinters.

Some embodiments discussed herein also include a component of a devicecomprising: an electrical interface component comprising at least 10 andno more than 19 individual electrical contacts, wherein the individualelectrical contacts are arranged in a single linear row and each of theindividual electrical contacts is electrically isolated from the others;and a mechanical interface comprising at least one receptacle configuredto receive a protrusion included on a second device. The second devicecan include, for example, a dock. The component can be included in aprinter configured to mate with the dock. The component can be a baseportion of the printer configured to attach to various sized housingdefining portions of printers, wherein the defining portions are eachconfigured to receive a specific width of label roll that may differfrom others of the defining portions. The component can also beconfigured to enable the printer, regardless of the size of theprinter's defining portion, to mate with an accessory device that isalso mate-able to a different sized printer having a similar baseportion as the component. The defining portions of the printers can havea similar whistle shape, despite being different sizes. The definingportion can also be configured to protect the base component on all butone side (e.g., five sides of six sides), leaving only one side of thebase component exposed to direct contact caused by dropping, among otherthings. The base component can further comprise a battery receptacleand/or battery interface component and/or circuitry.

Some embodiments may also include an interface component of a dockcomprising: an electrical interface component comprising at least 10 andno more than 19 individual electrical contacts, wherein the individualelectrical contacts are arranged in a single linear row and each of theindividual electrical contacts is electrically isolated from the others;and a mechanical interface comprising at least one protrusion configuredto engage a receptacle included in a second device. The second devicecan be a printer with which the dock is configured to mate. The dock canalso be configured to mate with various sized and/or shaped printers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a mobile printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of another printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the mobile printer discussed inconnection with FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6A and 6B each show a right side view of embodiments of the mobileprinter consistent with those discussed in connection with FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a palette and terminal device that may be used withmobile printers structured in accordance with embodiments discussedherein;

FIG. 8 shows an example block diagram of circuitry that may be includedin some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10A-10D show various views of example of circuitry, such as thatdiscussed in FIG. 8, that may be included in printers that are inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 10E shows an exploded view of the circuitry shown in FIGS. 10A-10D;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show exemplary portions of a housing for a printer inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12A shows a front isometric view of a dock that may receive aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12B shows a front isometric view of the dock of FIG. 12A whileelectromechanically coupled with a printer in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12C shows a top view of the dock of FIG. 12A that may receive aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12D shows a front view of the dock of FIG. 12A that may receive aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12E shows a right side view of the dock of FIG. 12A that mayreceive a printer in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 12F-12H show an exemplary method how a printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein can be electromechanically coupled tothe dock of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12I shows a rear isometric view of a dock that may receive aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12J shows a top view of the dock of FIG. 12I that may receive aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12K shows a more detailed view of retention tabs mounted in adock's housing and/or any other type of apparatus in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12L shows example components and shapes of the components ofretention tabs in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 12M shows an example electrical interface and curved protrusionsthat may be included in docks in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 12N shows the bottom of a stopper as mounted to a dock inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 12O-12Q show an example of additional components that may beincluded in light emitting devices in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 13A shows a front isometric view of a multi-printer dock that iselectromechanically coupled to a plurality printers in accordance withembodiments discussed herein and can receive another printer inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 13B shows a back isometric view of the multi-printer dock of FIG.13A that is electromechanically coupled to a printer in accordance withembodiments discussed herein and can receive a plurality of printers inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 13C shows a top view of the multi-printer dock of FIG. 13A that mayreceive a plurality of printers in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 13D shows a front view of the multi-printer dock of FIG. 13A thatmay receive a plurality of printers in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 13E shows a right side view of the multi-printer dock of FIG. 13Athat may receive a plurality of printers in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 14A shows a side view of the dock of FIG. 12A or a side view of themulti-printer dock of FIG. 13A that is mounted to a wall andelectromechanically coupled to at least one printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 14B and 14C show various internal components of a docking unit inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 14D shows a bottom view of the dock with the bottom portion of thedock's housing included (as opposed to FIG. 14C, which has the bottomportion of the dock's housing removed) in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 14E shows an example ejector assembly in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 14F shows a cut away view of a portion of the ejector assemblydiscussed in connection with FIG. 14E in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 15 shows a process flow related to using a dock that may beexecuted by a processor and/or other hardware at least partiallyimplemented in a printer in accordance with some embodiments discussedherein;

FIGS. 16 and 17 show interface pin mappings for interfaces that may beincluded in a printer and/or other device in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 18A-18H show a battery charging dock in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 19A and 19B show circuitry that can be used by a printer inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein to distinguish a smartbattery from another type of battery;

FIG. 20 shows a process flow related to identifying and utilizingdifferent batteries in a printer in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein; and

FIG. 21 shows examples of print server networks in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview of Example Printer Platforms

FIG. 1 shows mobile printer 100, which is in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. Mobile printer 100, like some ofthe other exemplary printers discussed herein, can weigh less than 1.6pounds, can have a volume of about 61 cubic inches, and can be durableenough to function properly after falling from a height of at least 5feet. Mobile printer 100 can also be used to print user-readable indiciaat, e.g., a speed of one or more inches per second. In some embodiments,the torque and/or print speed can be dynamically adjusted based upon theprinting parameters selected in response to the printer's processordetermining, e.g., the type of media (e.g., backless media, media withbacking to be peeled, among others). Mobile printer 100 can also beconfigured to encode machine-readable indicia onto media.

The relatively small profile and increased durability of mobile printer100 can be enabled by, among other things, the arrangement of theinternal circuitry and/or circuit boards onto which the circuitry ismounted. For example, the circuitry of mobile printer 100 can be laidout on a plurality of circuit boards (instead of a single circuitboard). Additional examples of how circuitry may be arranged on one ormore circuit boards are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 8 and10A-10E as well as in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The media can include, for example, a number of adhesive-backed labelssupported by a liner or other carrier (sometimes referred to herein as a“backing”). In RFID applications, the labels may include an RFIDtransponder or other type of circuitry (sometimes referred to herein asan “inlay”). A peeler (discussed further in connection with FIGS. 7-13)and/or other component(s) can be included in mobile printer 100 and maybe used to separate the media from the liner after printing/encoding.The media can include a single media unit, or the media can includeindividual media units that are rolled together, fan folded, orotherwise assembled together, and inserted into mobile printer 100. Forexample, media cover 102 can open (similar or the same as that shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B) allowing mobile printer 100 to receive a single mediaunit, a roll of media units, a fanfold of media units, or any othersuitable arrangement of one or more media units. Mobile printer 100 canthen feed the media through media slot 104. In some embodiments, a tearbar or other type of cutting component (discussed below) can beincorporated near media slot 104 to help the user remove a label,receipt, or other type of media unit(s) from the roll afterprinting/encoding.

A peeler assembly may also be included in mobile printer 100. The peelerassembly may comprise a peel bar and/or other component(s), and bepositioned proximate media slot 104. Mobile printer 100 may includegears and/or other components that are adapted to automatically engagethe peeler to print media (such as, e.g., media cover 102 may beconfigured to latch the peel bar in a peeling position), subsequent tothe peeler bar being released from its stowed or other type ofnon-peeling position by a user and/or mobile printer 100. The peeler canthen be used to at least partially remove a label or other type of mediafrom any type of backing, such as a media liner, after printing/encodingthe media. Additional examples of threadless peelers are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,422, titled“LABEL PEELING, UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Housing 106, including media cover 102, can be made from any suitablematerial and/or combinations of materials. For example, housing 106 canbe made from plastic(s), rubber, metal, composite material, any othertype of material, or combination thereof (such as, e.g., arubber-infused plastic). Housing material 106 can be strong enough toprotect the internal components from a fall, while still allowingwireless signals, such as those used to communication to radiate throughin at least some locations. Housing 106 is shown in FIG. 1 as having acenter seam between top half 130 of the housing and bottom half 132 ofthe housing. Other embodiments, examples of which are discussed below(in connection with, e.g., in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 2-6B, 11A and11B), include a seam line that allows, among other things, the bottomportion of the housing to be the same size and shape, regardless of theoverall shape and size of printers. Additional examples of definingouter shells and other exterior features of printers that may be used insome embodiments discussed herein are provided in commonly-assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY ANDSCALABILITY,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Mobile printer 100 can also include one or more user input/outputcomponents, such as display 108, left button 110, right button 112, menubutton 114, back button 116, navigation buttons 118, feed button 120,power button 122, and cover release button 124. Other examples ofbuttons, sensors and other type of user and environmental inputs may beincluded, some of which are discussed herein. For example, additionaluser inputs and/or outputs may be available to the user only when mediacover 102 is open. Additional examples of printer user interfaces thatmay be included in some embodiments discussed herein are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,438, titled“PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

Display 108 can include components configured to receive data inputs andpresent a display. In some embodiments, display 108 may also includecomponents that enable touch-sensitive functionality. Thetouch-sensitive components of display 108 can include, for example,capacitance sensor(s), resistance sensor(s), acoustic wave sensor(s),optical sensor(s), any other type of sensor(s), and/or combinationthereof. Display 108 can also include a liquid crystal display (“LCD”),light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light emitting diode(“OLED”) display, any other type of display, or combination thereof.Different types of displays have various advantages and disadvantagesrelative to each other. For example, a 2.1 inch OLED display may have arelatively larger viewing angle than a 2.1 inch LCD. However, as knownto those skilled in the art, OLED displays are currently more expensivethan comparable LCDs. Other examples of displays that may be used bysome embodiments discussed herein, include an electronic paper display(“EPD,” sometimes referred to as electronic ink or e-ink) or other typeof bistable display(s). Power consumption, brightness, readability (insunlight, darkness, etc.), expected life span, and other factors mayalso differ among different types of displays and impact the bestdisplay to be used as display 108 depending on the intended usage ofmobile printer 100. In some embodiments, an ambient light sensor and/orother type of sensor can be integrated into the display and/or otherportion of printer 100, such as in and/or near the peeler bar or mediacover. The one or more sensors can be used to, for example, adjust thebrightness of the display, detect a label that needs to be removed fromthe peel bar, and determine when printer 100 is moving, among otherthings.

Display 108 can be configured to present an icon based menu and/or anyother type of menu hierarchy. Among other things, display 108 can beadapted to display Asian-language fonts in relatively high resolution.Various fonts, graphics, firmware and/or other data may be downloadedonto printer 100 (some examples of which are discussed further below).

The printer may also be configured to upload to a remote deviceinformation on printer usage, such as odometer data (e.g., the amount ofmedia that has been printed since a given time), battery status, labelsize, error messages, printer modes of operation used since last docking(peel, tear, etc.), model number, software version, printheadresolution, installed memory size, amount of available/used memoryspace, components and other options included in printer, paper emptyflag, printer paused flag, label length, indication of current mode ofprinter and previous modes used (e.g., since last synchronization),absolute temperature, temperature range data (over acceptabletemperature, within acceptable temperature range, or below acceptabletemperature), printhead open flag, ribbon out mode (is there a ribboninstalled or not), and ribbon usage mode (is a ribbon being used toprint or not), among other things. Additional examples of types ofinformation that may be uploaded and/or downloaded from/to the printerare included in the Zebra Programming Language's ZPL II the ProgrammingGuide, Volume One, 2005, which is a registered copyrighted work owned bythe assignee of this application and is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

In some embodiments, display 108 may only function as an output displaycomponent and be unable to function as an input component. For example,display 108 may lack a functioning touch-sensitive input componentand/or the appropriate software/hardware/firmware necessary to enablethe touch-sensitive input component.

Regardless of whether display 108 includes a touch sensitive componentthat displays user-selectable buttons and/or other input component(s),mobile printer 100 can include “soft” keys, such as left button 110 andright button 112, which are hardware-based keys (as opposed tosoftware-based keys presented by a touch-sensitive display) that can beused to select options presented by display 108. In some embodiments,portions of the screen of display 108 can be dedicated to and associatedwith left button 110 and/or right button 112. For example, the area ofdisplay 108 located immediately above left button 110 can be used topresent an option that can be selected in response to left button 110being depressed. Likewise, the area of display 108 located immediatelyabove right button 112 can be used to present another option that can beselected in response to right button 112 being depressed. The optionspresented in the screen areas associated with left button 110 and/orright button 112 can be dynamic and change based upon the currentdisplay, allowing left button 110 and right button 112 to provideflexible navigation of the menu hierarchy. Additional examples ofprinter user interfaces that may be used in some embodiments discussedherein are provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Mobile printer 100 can also include menu button 114. Internal circuitry(e.g., the processor and/or other components, such as those discussed inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 10A-10E) of mobile printer 100 can beconfigured to, for example, present a main menu or other type of displayon display 108 in response to menu button 114 being depressed. Softwareand/or firmware, which include coded machine-readable instructions forexecuting the functionality of mobile printer 100, can be stored inmemory or any other type of computer readable media device included inmobile printer 100. For example, mobile printer 100 may include 128megabytes of memory, 256 megabytes of memory, or any other suitableamount of removable or embedded memory in the form of nontransitoryvolatile and/or non-volatile storage (e.g., flash memory, magnetic diskmemory, etc.).

Back button 116 can cause the internal circuitry to present a displaythat is higher up a menu hierarchy of mobile printer 100. In otherembodiments, back button 116 (or another button which is not shown) canbe used to physically “back-up” or otherwise control the movement of themedia being printed/encoded by mobile printer 100. In yet otherembodiments, back button 116 (and/or any other component of mobileprinter 100) can have dynamic functionality, in that selecting backbutton 116 causes mobile printer 100 to respond differently depending ona range of variables. For example, back button 116 may cause display 108to advance up the menu hierarchy while media cover 102 is in a closedposition (as shown in FIG. 1) and cause the printing media to back-feedwhile media cover 102 is in an open position (as shown in FIGS. 8A and8B), or vice-versa.

Navigation buttons 118 are shown in FIG. 1 as comprising fourdirectional buttons and a center button. Navigational buttons 118 canenable a user to, for example, move a cursor among and/or select one ormore options presented by display 108. Navigational buttons 118 can alsoprovide an intuitive interface for allowing a user to move to and/orselect an option using fewer key presses. Additional examples of printeruser interfaces that may be used in some embodiments discussed hereinare provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Feed button 120 can be used to activate one or more rollers and feedmedia into the printing components of mobile printer 100. For example,when the media is supported by a liner, feed button 120 can assist auser in advancing the liner through printing components. Feed button 120may also be used to help the user remove excess media, advance the mediamanually, and/or remove jammed media, just to list a few examples.

Mobile printer 100 can be powered ON and OFF using power button 122. Insome embodiments, power button 122 can be used to cause mobile printer100 to enter or exit a standby mode. For example, in response to powerbutton 122 being depressed for less than a predetermined period of time(e.g., 5 seconds), mobile printer 100 can either enter or exit standbymode (depending on, e.g., whether or not mobile printer 100 is currentlyin an active or standby mode). But in response to power button 122 beingdepressed for more than 5 seconds, mobile printer 100 can power OFF (ifON). In some embodiments, the circuitry of mobile printer 100 can beconfigured to automatically power OFF after a predetermined period oftime or in response to determining the battery power has dropped below apredetermined threshold. Mobile printer 100 may also be configured topower ON automatically, for example, in response to a print commandbeing issued by another device, such as a mobile terminal. In someembodiments, mobile printer 100 can be configured to automatically enterand/or exit a stand-by or other power-saving mode (including dimming thedisplay screen, turning OFF wireless components, and/or execute otherpower reduction configuration settings). For example, a power-savingmode may be entered or exited after a predetermined period of time haselapsed and/or an environmental trigger has been detected (e.g., lightdetected by an ambient light sensor, movement detected by a jiggleswitch, accelerometer and/or other type of movement sensor, etc.).

Cover release button 124 can be used to unlock and/or open media cover102. When media cover 102 is open, media can be loaded into mobileprinter 100, media jams can be fixed, ribbon or other printingcomponents can be replaced, the peeler bar can be released to engage themedia, etc.

The relatively small size of mobile printer 100 allows mobile printer100 to be attached, mounted, or otherwise physically coupled to a numberof devices. For example, mobile printer 100 can be attached to a forklift (or other warehouse apparatus), automobile (e.g., police car),healthcare device, shopping cart, belt loop, belt, and lanyard, amongother things. To facilitate its mechanical or other type of physicalcoupling to another apparatus, mobile printer 100 can include channels126, which are adapted to receive a mounting component (e.g., a shoulderstrap, belt, or other type of tether), locking component, and/or othertype of apparatus(es). Other mounting components, including those usedfor a dock, are discussed further in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 2,5-7B and 11A-12H.

Protective cover 128 can be used to prevent water, dirt and otherelements from entering one or more electrical coupling components ofmobile printer 100. For example, one or more universal serial bus(“USB”) ports, mini-USB ports, serial enhanced security ports, Ethernetports, optical ports, and/or any other type of input components, outputcomponents and/or input/output components may be located behindprotective cover 128. Protective cover 128 can be removed and/or openedto access the protected component(s). The protected component(s) canalso incorporate, for example, strain relief technology, some examplesof which are provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIG. 2 shows printer 200, which includes components similar to or thesame as those discussed above in connection with mobile printer 100. Toavoid overcomplicating the discussion, like reference numbers refer tolike elements throughout the drawings. (Although a display screen is notshown in FIG. 2, reference number 108 points to a portion of housing 106that may be adapted to receive any type of display or other type of userinterface.)

In some embodiments, the portion of printer 200's housing where display108 may be integrated can be formed from one or more different materialsthan other portions of the housing. For example, the side walls of thehousing (such as the portions where channels 126 are located) can beformed from an injection molded plastic, and the portion for display 108can comprise die cut rubber. When manufacturing printer 200, forexample, plastic for the housing can be injected molded around the diecut rubber, which may allow the same injection mold to be used forprinters that have different sized and/or types of input components(e.g., different types of display screens, navigation buttonarrangements, etc.). In some embodiments, a rubber and/or other type ofovermold (discussed further in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 11A and 11B)can be applied to one or more of the printer's side walls and/or othercomponents. Allowing the same molds to be used for multiple products canreduce manufacturing and machining costs sometimes associated withproviding various product options to customers. In other embodiments,rather than place display 108 into rubber, the portion of the printer'shousing that receives display 108 can be plastic and/or any other typeof material. Other design aspects, some of which are discussed incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,438, titled“PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference, may be included in some of the embodimentsdiscussed herein and allow printer components to be used across varioustypes of mobile printers, desktop printers and other devices inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Printer 200 includes clip 202, which may enable printer 200 to beattached to a user's belt or belt loop. In some embodiments, clip 202may swivel on a ball hinge or may remain in a fixed position relativeprinter 200. Housing 106 of printer 200 can be molded or otherwiseadapted to receive clip 202 with or without another component. Someembodiments of housing 106, such as that shown in FIG. 2, lacks a seamline running through the ball joint receptacle, can directly receiveclip 202 without sacrificing much, if any, strength of the connection,even absent another component. Clip 202 can be removable and/or replacedwith one or more other types of attaching components. For example, amagnetic attaching component could be located where clip 202 is shown inFIG. 2, and used to attach printer 200 to a metallic surface. Additionalexamples of belt clips that may be used in combination with someembodiments discussed herein are provided in commonly-assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY ANDSCALABILITY,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIGS. 3-7 show different views of printer 200. For example, FIG. 3 showsa front view of printer 200.

FIG. 4 shows a back view of printer 200. Hinge 402 can include a springor other mechanism that allows media cover 102 to be driven open inresponse to a latch being released. For example, cover release button124 can be adapted to release such a latch when depressed by a user.When media cover 102 is open, media can be loaded into printer 200,media jams can be corrected, print ribbon or other consumable printingcomponents can be replaced, among other things. Cover release button 124can also be configured to release and/or drive a peel bar from anon-peeling position to a ready and/or peeling position. Additionalexamples of peel bars' functionality, including examples of thenon-peeling, ready and peeling positions, are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,422, titled“LABEL PEELING, UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

In other embodiments, the peel bar can function independent from coverrelease button 124. For example, cover release button 124 can beconfigured to open media cover 102 without causing the peel bar to bereleased from the latched position.

In some embodiments, cover release button 124 may be configured tofunction differently depending on how it is utilized (e.g., depressed).For example, when cover release button 124 is depressed partially, mediacover 102 may be opened, and when cover release button 124 is depressedfurther (e.g., all or most of the way down), the peel bar can bereleased to a ready and/or peeling position.

The back view of printer 200 also shows that its housing was assembledfrom two pieces, namely, defining portion 404 and base portion 406.Defining portion 404 meets base portion 406 underneath printer 200 (asopposed to along the lateral sides such as housing 106 of mobile printer100). FIGS. 11A and 11B show defining portion 404 separated from baseportion 406.

Hinge 402 can attach media cover 102 to defining portion 404, andfasteners 408 (which may be screws and/or any other type of mechanicalfasteners) can attach defining portion 404 to a flange of base portion406. In some embodiments, the circuit board(s) of mobile printer 100 canbe removed from (e.g., slid out of) housing 106 after base portion 406is separated from defining portion 404. Each portion or sub-portion(s)of printer 200's housing can be constructed from any type of material,and may have a varying degree of transparency or opaqueness. Forexample, media cover 102 can be transparent, while the rest of thehousing can be opaque.

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of printer 200, which includes protectivecover 502 and alignment cavity 504. Similar to or the same as protectivecover 128, protective cover 502 may be removed to expose one or moreinput, output, and/or input/output components that enable a powersource, peripheral device, accessory device, network device, and/orother apparatus to be coupled with the circuitry of printer 200. In someembodiments, printer 200 can be configured to accept and/or work withaccessories common to other types or models of devices. For example, abattery charger may be coupled to a port behind protective cover 502 andused to charge the battery pack of printer 200.

Alignment cavity 504 can be used to facilitate the properelectro-mechanical coupling of printer 200 with one or more accessorydevices. For example, a docking station (sometimes referred to moregenerally herein as a “dock”), charging station, or mobile palette (suchas, e.g., a modified or existing Route Palette currently sold by ZebraTechnologies Corp., which is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) may define aprotrusion that corresponds with and fits into cavity 504. As referredto herein, a “charging station,” refers to an apparatus that canfunction as a source of power for charging the batteries of a mobile orother type of printer without facilitating data communications betweenthe printer and a networked device. A “docking station,” as used herein,refers to an apparatus that can receive and electrically couple with aprinter, function as a source of power to charge the printer'sbatteries, and facilitate data communications between the printer and ahost device (e.g., provide Ethernet communications to a network server).In some embodiments, a docking station may be associated with a fixedphysical location that is known to the host device and can be used todetermine the location of printer 200. Exemplary docking stations areshown and discussed in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 12A-14 and 18A-18H.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show two different example right side views of printer200, which are both shown as including cavity 602. Cavity 602 may be adetent adapted to receive a coupling mechanism, and may be the same asor similar to cavity 504 in design, functionality and/or application. Inother embodiments (not shown), cavity 602 can take a different shapeand/or form to cause printer 200 to be aligned in a particular mannerrelative to, e.g., a docking station or other apparatus. For example,notch 1108 of FIG. 6B is an example of another type of receptacle thatmay be configured to act as a mechanical connection interface that isused to align and/or otherwise enable printer 200 to mate with anaccessory device. Notch 1108 and its operation is discussed further inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 11A-12H.

In some embodiment, cavities 504, 602 and/or notch 1108 may operate tomechanically align printer 200 in a desirable presentation manner whenprinter 200 is docked onto a docking station and/or mated with any otherapparatus. By being properly aligned and coupled with a docking station,for example, the location of printer 200 may be determined based on thedocking station's known location.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show palette 702 that can be configured to receiveterminal 704 and printer 200 and/or any other printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein. Printer 200 may be configured tocommunicate with terminal 704 via connections within palette 702 (for asense of enhanced security) and/or wirelessly (via Bluetooth, WiFi, RFIDand/or cellular, among others). A user can then use palette 702,terminal 704 and printer 200 as shown in FIG. 7B. Palette 702, printer200 and various other apparatuses in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein can include one or more common accessory interfaces,which may include electrical and/or mechanical coupling componentsconfigured to mate with one another, some examples of which arediscussed below in connection with FIGS. 9, 11A-11B. The commonaccessory interface may allow printer 200 to be removed from palette 702and another, different type of printer to be installed in the place ofprinter 200.

Circuitry

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of example circuitry that may be includedin printer 800. Printer 800 may be embodied as a desktop, mobile and/orany other type of printer, some examples of which are discussed herein,including printers 100 and 200 discussed above. As shown in FIG. 8 andin accordance with some embodiments, printer 800 includes various means,such as processor 804, memory 806, communication interface 808 and userinterface 810 that can be configured to perform the various functionsherein described. These means of printer 800 as described herein may beembodied as, for example, hardware elements, including control circuitry(e.g., processor 804, including any suitably programmed processor and/orcombinational logic circuit, among other things), a computer programproduct comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g.,software/firmware) stored on a nontransitory computer-readable medium(e.g., memory 806) that is executable by the printer's other circuitry(e.g., processor 804), or some combination thereof.

Processor 804 may, for example, be embodied as various means includingone or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signalprocessor(s), processor(s) without an accompanying digital signalprocessor, one or more coprocessors, multi-core processors, controllers,computers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combinationthereof. Accordingly, although shown in FIG. 8 as a single processor, insome embodiments processor 804 comprises a plurality of processorsand/or any other type of control circuitry. The plurality of processors,for example, may be embodied on a single computing device or may bedistributed across a plurality of computing devices collectivelyconfigured to function as printer 800. The plurality of processors maybe in operative communication with each other and may be collectivelyconfigured to perform one or more functionalities of printer 800 asdescribed herein. In an example embodiment, processor 804 is configuredto execute instructions stored in memory 806 and/or that are otherwiseaccessible to processor 804. These instructions, when executed byprocessor 804, may cause printer 800 to perform one or more of thefunctionalities of printer 800 as described herein. As such, whetherconfigured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combinationthereof, processor 804 may comprise an entity capable of performingoperations according to embodiments of the present invention whileconfigured accordingly. Thus, for example, when processor 804 isembodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, processor 804 may comprisespecifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operationsdescribed herein. Alternatively, as another example, when processor 804is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored inmemory 806, the instructions may specifically configure processor 804 toperform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Memory 806 may comprise, for example, volatile storage, non-volatilestorage, or some combination thereof. Although shown in FIG. 8 as asingle memory component, memory 806 may comprise a plurality of memorycomponents. The plurality of memory components may be embodied on asingle computing device or distributed across a plurality of computingdevices. In various embodiments, memory 806 may comprise, for example, ahard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory(DVD-ROM), circuitry configured to store information, any other type ofmemory, or some combination thereof. Memory 806 may be configured tostore information, data, applications and instructions, among otherthings, for enabling printer 800 to provide various functionality inaccordance with some example embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, memory 806 is configured to buffer input data for processing byprocessor 804. Additionally or alternatively, in at least someembodiments, memory 806 can be configured to store program instructionsfor execution by processor 804. Memory 806 may store information in theform of static and/or dynamic information. This stored information maybe stored and/or used by printer 800 during the course of performing itsfunctions.

Communication interface 808 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable program instructions stored on a computer readablemedium (e.g., memory 806) and executed by a processing device (e.g.,processor 804), or a combination thereof that is configured to receiveand/or transmit data from/to another device, such as, for example, asecond printer 800 and/or the like. In some embodiments, communicationsinterface 808 can be a component of a common accessories interface,which may also include a mechanical interface. Examples of devices usingand aspects of a common accessory interface are discussed herein inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 9-14 and 16-18H.

In some embodiments, communication interface 808 is at least partiallyembodied as or otherwise controlled by processor 804. As referred toherein, being “controlled” by processor 804 includes processor 804providing commands and other types of instructions as well as receivingand responding to data received by the components being instructed,among other things. In this regard, communication interface 808 may bein communication with processor 804, such as via a bus (not shown).Communication interface 808 may include, for example, an antenna, atransmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, network interface card and/orsupporting hardware and/or firmware/software for enabling communicationswith another computing device. Communications interface 808 may alsoinclude one or more sensors, such as sensor 802, which can be configuredto detect various environmental and/or other conditions (e.g., ambientlight, acceleration, component position, etc.). Communication interface808 may also be configured to receive and/or transmit data using anyprotocol suitable for facilitating communications between computingand/or other types of devices. Examples of docking stations are providedherein, such as in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 7A, 7B, 12-14 and18A-18H. Communication interface 808 may additionally be incommunication with the memory 806, user interface 810 and/or any othercomponent of printer 800, such as via a bus (not shown).

User interface 810 may be in communication with processor 804 to receivean indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual,mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, user interface 810 mayinclude, for example, display 108, left button 110, right button 112,menu button 114, back button 116, navigation buttons 118, feed button120, power button 122, an audio transducer, and/or other input/outputmechanisms.

Printer 800 may also include one or more drive motors 812, which may beconfigured to move one or more media units when printing, among otherthings. Drive motors 812 can be controlled by, e.g., processor 804. Forexample, processor 804 can be configured to cause electric drive motors812 to move one or more media units past a printhead at a first speed.In some embodiments, processor 804 and drive motors 812 can beconfigured to move various media units at various speeds. Additionalexamples of controlling print speed are provided in commonly-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,422, titled “LABEL PEELING,UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which is incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference.

Electrical Interface and Circuit Board Layout

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of printer 200, which includes battery cover902 and electrical contacts 904. Electrical contacts 904 may be part ofcommunications interface 808 discussed above. Electrical contacts 904can be configured to work together as a single electrical interface. Inother embodiments, one or more of the electrical contacts shown in FIG.9 can be incorporated into a cable and/or any other type of interface.For example, electrical contacts 904 can be a single 16-pin interfacethat can allow printer 200 to have wired network communications whilecharging its battery from a mains and/or other power source. Examples ofthe 16-pin and other types of interfaces are discussed further inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 16 and 17.

Electrical contacts 904, like other electrical components discussedherein, can be coupled to internal circuitry, such as the circuitrydiscussed in connection with FIG. 8. FIGS. 10A-10F show a more detailedexample of circuitry in accordance with some embodiments. Because someapplications of mobile printers may benefit from the printer beingrelatively small, light and rugged, some embodiments discussed hereinmay include the printer's internal circuitry being split among multiplecircuit boards as shown in FIGS. 10A-10F.

The circuit boards can be linked together using a three dimensional(“3D”) approach. For example, multiple boards and components thereon canbe laid out and designed such that they fit together like a 3D puzzle,thereby giving a relatively low vertical profile despite being stacked.In addition, the circuit boards can be layered together to realize areduction in wireless emissions and other noise between the boards.Board 1002 can be the main board that has the processor (and otherprocessing circuitry, such as processor 804) and/or memory (e.g., memory810) installed thereon. Board 1004 can be configured to be thepersonality board that has the various input and output interfacesmounted therein. The input/output interfaces can, for example, becoupled to components such as display 108, left button 110, right button112, and navigation buttons 118. Board 1006 can be configured to be acapsulated power interface board and/or “dock board” that can be coupledto electrical contacts 904 (discussed above) and/or battery packcontainer 1008. Board 1006 can be used in a printer to provide aflexible power and/or wired communications interface that is configuredto mate with various accessories and other devices, some examples ofwhich are discussed herein. Ribbon interfaces, such as interface 1012,can be used to electrically couple boards together. Board 1010 can alsobe included a remote wireless board. For example, board 1010 can includeBluetooth component 1016 on one side and WiFi component 1016 on theother side, as shown in the circuitry exploded view of FIG. 10E.Additional examples of printer circuitry arranged on plurality ofcircuit boards are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Electrical contacts 904, shown in FIG. 10D, can be used when couplingprinter 200 to a peripheral device, docking station or other type ofapparatus. For example and as discussed above, electrical contacts 904can facilitate the transfer of power to and/or from printer 200. Whenused as a power port, one or more of electrical contacts 904 can be usedto charge the batteries of printer 200 as discussed above. As anotherexample, electrical contacts 904 can function as an input port, outputport, or combined input/output port that facilitates the transfer ofdata to and/or from printer 200 and/or the smart battery pack. When usedas a data port, electrical contacts 904 can engage with, for example, adocking station and allow printer 200 and smart batteries therein tohave Ethernet and/or other type(s) of network connectivity as discussedabove. Smart docking may also be implemented, thereby enabling printer200 and/or smart batteries to establish an Ethernet connection whenpower is provided (via, e.g., electrical contacts 904 or any other powerport of printer 200). Smart docking may help increase the battery lifeof printer 200 by only implementing power consuming data communicationswhile connected to an external power source. In some embodiments, powermay be drawn over the Ethernet connection to charge one or morebatteries of printer 200 or enable printer 200 to run without depletingits battery power.

In some embodiments, examples of which are discussed below, battery packcontainer 1008 can include and/or be coupled to circuitry 1018. Theelectrical contacts of circuitry 1018, which are configured tofacilitate the transfer of power from a battery pack inside battery packcontainer 1008, can be elongated as shown in FIG. 10E. The elongatedcontacts can allow the same design/type of battery pack container 1008to be used in printers having various sizes. For example, in arelatively small printer housing (such as a printer adapted toaccommodate a two inch media roll), board 1002 may be mounted in thecenter of the printer's housing and make contact with the right-sideportion of the contacts included in circuitry 1018. However, in a largerprinter's housing (such as a printer adapted to accommodate a four inchmedia roll, while retaining the whistle shape shown in some of thedrawings), board 1002 may be mounted towards the right of the printer'shousing and make contact with the left-side portion of the contactsincluded in circuitry 1018 (if the battery pack is located in the centerof the printer). As referred to herein, the “whistle” shape refers amore rounded back portion that is configured to receive media units viamedia cover 102, and tapers to a relatively thinner front portion thatis not as high as the back portion and is more straight than the backportion. The front portion includes one or more user interfacecomponents on a relatively flat surface located generally at a distalend opposite the rounded portion. A display screen and/or other type ofuser interfaces may be located on the “top” surface in portion of theprinter's housing that defines the taper. As used herein, the relative“front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “right” and “left” would be understoodto one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the description of thedrawings FIGS. 3-6B and 9 that are referred to as “front”, “back”,“bottom”, “right” and “left” side views. The whistle shape may allowprinters to be smaller and lighter.

FIG. 10E shows an exploded view of the circuitry and other internalcomponents that may be included in a printer in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein, such as printers 100 and 200 discussedabove. In some embodiments, boards 1002, 1004, 1006 and/or 1010 may bemounted to a frame (not shown) without using screws or other types offasteners. Instead of or in addition to fasteners, boards 1002, 1004,and/or 1006 can slide into slots created by protrusions in the frame.Additional examples of how circuit boards may be arranged within aprinter are discussed in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Scalable Printer Housing

As noted above, the “whistle” shape of printer 200 and/or the overallsize of the printer can be scalable and/or change for differentprinters. For example, a printer that is configured to accommodate a 4inch medial roll may be larger than a printer that is configured toaccommodate a media roll up to (and including) 2 inches. As anotherexample, a larger display screen may be included as an upgrade to thestandard sized display screen, requiring more space on defining portion404 of the printer's housing.

While different printers may have differing sized and shaped definingportion 404 shown in FIG. 11A, the different printers can each includethe same bottom housing portion, such as base portion 406 shown in FIG.11B, that is at least substantially the same shape and size. The commonbottom or “base” housing portion can also include, for example, acoupling area that includes a common communications interface, such aselectrical contacts 904, detents 504 and 602, and/notches 1108, amongother things, which can be spaced apart and shaped consistently acrossprinters and/or other devices. In some embodiments, the coupling areacan be defined by the size and shape of at least the portion of baseportion 406 that includes these features. For example, all base portionsand/or coupling areas may be defined by the same width, “w”, of theportion of base portion 406 that includes battery receptacle 1110. Evenembodiments that do not include a battery receptacle or a smallerbattery receptacle than what is shown in FIG. 11B, may include one ormore pieces of housing that separates detent 602 from detent 504 (notshown in FIG. 11B, but discussed above in connection with FIG. 5) and/orseparates notches 1108 at the width “w”. In other words, the couplingarea can be defined by the relative positioning of notches 1108,electrical contacts 904 (e.g., flanking the distal ends of electricalcontacts 904) and/or detents 504, 602 in three dimensional space. Anaccessory device and/or any other type of device, some examples of whichare discussed in connection with FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 12A-14F, may includea reciprocal coupling area that is configured to receive, engage and/orotherwise couple with one or more of notches 1108, electrical contacts904 and/or detents 504, 602.

Incorporating such homogenous base portions and/or at least commoncoupling areas with different printer housing defining portions and/ortypes of devices (having, e.g., different sizes, features, materials andfunctionality, among other things) can enable a wide variety of printersand/or other devices to be configured to interface with commonaccessories and peripheral devices, among other things, that include areciprocal coupling area configured to mate with the features includedin the coupling area shown FIG. 11B. For example, wider mobile printersmay be configured to accommodate wider rolls of media by having a widerdefining portion 404, but have the same or similar sized and shaped baseportion 406 (or at least same or similar sized and shaped coupling area)as a smaller printer that is configured to accommodate narrower rolls ofmedia. As another example, longer mobile printers may be configured toaccommodate larger display screens and/or more buttons by having alonger defining portion 404, but have the same or similar sized andshaped base portion 406 (or at least same or similar sized and shapedcoupling area) as a shorter printer that is configured to accommodatesmaller display screens. Despite the relatively larger width and/orlength, some embodiments of wider, longer mobile printers may stillconform to the whistle shape shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-6B. Similarly,other printers (not shown) that do not conform to the whistle shape maystill have the common coupling area and/or base portion 406.

Further to the discussion above, the seam line between defining portion404 and base portion 406 does not run around the lateral sides ofprinter 200, but instead runs off center along the bottom edge of theprinter's housing. While some embodiments of mobile printers mayutilized a split “Upper/Lower” housing approach (such as that shown inFIG. 1), other embodiments may use more of an “defining/base” housingbody design (such as that shown in FIGS. 4-7, 11A and 11B, for example).The defining/base split can create a more continuous uni-body structurethat may fare much better in durability testing. The complexity ofovermolds sometimes applied to printer housings can also been reducedwith the defining/base split of the printer's housing discussed herein.For example, rather than apply an overmold to both the upper and lowerhousing portions, the overmold may instead be applied to only thedefining portion of the housing. Additionally, printer housings thatutilize the defining/base body design may realize improved durability asa result of eliminating the seam line on the portion of the external,outer plastic printer housings that is most likely to contact the groundwhen dropped on the printer's side wall 1102, front wall 1104, andcurved back wall 1106, which are shown in FIG. 11A. Because base portion406 is within and at least largely surrounded by defining portion 404 onall four sides as well as its top portion, base portion 406 is largelyprotected by defining portion 404 and its protective features (such asan overmold).

In other embodiments, the seam line between the base portion anddefining portion may run along a top edge of the bottom portion (asopposed to the bottom edge of the upper portion as shown in FIGS. 11Aand 11B), and the bottom portion may be considered the “defining”portion of the printer's housing (not shown) that is configured to atleast largely surround all four sides and the bottom of a top portion.Similarly, one skilled in the art may realize from the discussion hereinthat the seam line may run along a back edge, front edge, right sideedge, or any other edge (none which are shown), such that the definingportion is neither the “top” nor the “bottom” of the printer's housingwithout departing from the spirit of the embodiments discussed herein.In these alternative embodiments, like those shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B,one piece of the printer's housing substantially surrounds at least fiveof the six sides of the printer.

Base portion 406, as shown in FIG. 11B, can also be used as part of acommon accessories interface that can mechanically and/or electricallycouple with a variety of different printers, thereby reducing the numberof printer accessories needed to support one or more product lines. Forexample, the defining/base housing design and the features incorporatedin the base portion can allow for a single accessories interface acrossprinter family sizes. Printers having a whistle shape (such as thoseshown in FIGS. 4-7, 11A and 11B), for example, can have a common basearea, shape and coupling components regardless of the printer's overallwidth (as determined by defining portion 404 of the printer's housing inthe example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B). For example, in addition to thecoupling components discussed above (e.g., cavity 504 and cavity 602adapted to receive a spring loaded or other type of mechanical couplingdevice and electrical contacts 904), base portion 406 can also includenotches 1108 adapted to receive and lock onto male connecting componentsof a docking, peripheral, and/or other accessory device, among otherthings.

Defining portion 404 and/or base portion 406 can also include and or beadapted to integrate with one or more strain relief components, such aslocking strain relief component. Among other things, strain reliefcomponent(s) may help reduce and/or eliminate strain placed on internalcircuitry by a universal serial bus (“USB”) and/or other input/outputcables. The strain can result from a connection made to a secondprinter, portable data terminal, scanner, credit card reader, personalcomputer, etc., Additional examples of strain relief components areprovided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/085,438, titled “PRINTER MOBILITY AND SCALABILITY,” andcommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,754, titled “PRINTER CABLE ANDASSOCIATED STRAIN RELIEF COLLAR FOR CREATING A RUGGEDIZED CONNECTION FORAN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL OF A PRINTER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS THEREFOR,”both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Docking and Undocking of Mobile Printer

Mobile printers sometimes connect to a network using wirelesstechnology, which drains battery power of the mobile printer relativelyquickly. Docks, such as docking unit 1200, docking station 1300 and 1302shown in FIGS. 12A-14F, can be configured to electromechanically coupleto a mobile printer, such as printer 200, and provide the printer wirednetwork connectivity while docked.

FIGS. 12A-12D show various views of docking unit 1200. Docking unit 1200may include electrical interface component 1202, which may be configuredto facilitate communications with a printer and/or any other device.Docking unit 1200 may also be configured to connect to one or more powersources (e.g., analog to digital converter, mains power, battery, etc.),or more wired networks (e.g., the Internet, corporate intranet, etc.)and/or any other devices via one or more additional cables and/orcomponents (not shown).

Electrical interface component 1202 can enable data, power, ground andother types of signals to be provided to, for example, a printer'selectrical interface component (such as electrical contacts 904). Forexample, electrical interface component 1202 can comprise at least 10and no more than 19 individual electrical contacts, wherein theindividual electrical contacts of electrical interface component 1202are arranged in a single linear row as shown in FIG. 12B. Each of theindividual electrical contacts can be electrically isolated from theothers.

Docking unit 1200 may also include one or more mechanical interfaces,such as curved protrusions 1204A and 1204B shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, whichare configured to engage, receive and/or otherwise mate with anotherdevice regardless of the device's overall shape or size. Curvedprotrusions 1204A and 1204B can each be configured to engage areceptacle (such as notches 1108) included in another device (such asprinter 200). For example, protrusions 1204A and 1204B can flank thedistal ends of the linear electrical interface component 1202 (which maybe positioned there between as shown in FIG. 12B), and have a questionmark shape that begins with a straight portion and terminates in acurved portion next to electrical interface component 1202. As such,protrusions 1204A and 1204B can be male connector components that areconfigured to guide and removably lock a device (such as, e.g., printer200) into position, such that the device's electrical interface (suchas, e.g., electrical contacts 904) makes sufficient contact withelectrical interface component 1202. Another example of curvedprotrusions, which do not have a question mark shape and are onlycurved, are discussed in connection with FIG. 12M. Also discussed inconnection with FIG. 12M and with FIG. 12N are stoppers that may be usedin connection with various types of curved protrusions that are used tomate a dock with a printer and/or any other pair of devices.

Docking unit 1200 may also include one or more user interfacecomponents. For example, light emitting device 1206 can indicate whetherEthernet (and/or any other type of network) communications are takingplace (e.g., the light can flash when communications are taking place).As another example, light emitting device 1208 can be illuminated whenthe dock is receiving sufficient power. In some embodiments, lightemitting device 1208 may be illuminated regardless of whether a printeris in the dock and/or properly coupled thereto. In other embodiments,the illumination of light emitting device 1208 can be dependent on theconnection state with the printer and/or any other criteria. In someembodiments, the lack of illumination of one or both of light emittingdevices 1206 and 1208 can have special meaning, which the user mayappreciate. An example of additional components that may be included inlight emitting devices 1206, 1208 are discussed in connection with FIGS.12O-12Q.

In other embodiments (not shown), one or more other user interfacecomponents may be provided in addition to or instead of light emittingdevices 1206, 1208. For example, a display screen, touch sensitivecomponent, one or more buttons, and/or audio transducer, among otherthings may be included in docking unit 1200.

Docking unit 1200 may have any suitable dimensions. For example, “L”shown in the top view of FIG. 12B may be 5.10 inches; “W” shown in thefront view of FIG. 12C may be 5.90 inches; and “H” shown in theright-side view of FIG. 12D may be 2.34 inches. Docking unit 1200 mayalso include curved trough 1210 which may be configured to receive adevice, such as a printer 200. Although the size and shape of curvedtrough 1210 and the various other physical attributes of docking unit1200 may be fixed and not adjustable, docking unit 1200 may be able tomate with various sized and shaped printers that have a common baseportion (such as base portion 406 discussed above) having a commonaccessory interface. For example, the shape and size of at least aportion of the dock (including, e.g., curved trough 1210), themechanical interface (e.g., curved protrusions 1204A and 1204B, optionalretention tabs, etc.) and the electrical component interface can definethe dock's coupling area, which may be configured to couple with aprinter's (or other device's) coupling area (such as that discussedabove in connection with FIG. 11B).

FIG. 12E shows an example of what printer 200 may look like when matedwith docking unit 1200. While mated, printer 200 may receive powerand/or communications from docking unit 1200.

FIGS. 12F-12H show how printer 200 or any other type of device includinga common accessory interface may be electromechanically mated to dockingunit 1200. For example, printer 200 can approach docking unit 1200 inthe direction shown by motion arrow 1212. When printer 200's mechanicalinterface (e.g., notches 1108) comes into contact with protrusions1204A, 1204B while moving in the direction of motion arrow 1212, theshape of protrusions 1204A and 1204B can cause printer 200 to move inthe direction of motion arrow 1214 shown in FIG. 12G. When mated,printer 200 may rest on docking unit 1200 as shown in right-side view ofFIG. 12H.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13A-13E, two more docking units,similar to or the same as docking unit 1200, can be combined(permanently or removably) to form multi-printer docking station 1300.For example, docking unit 1200 may include an attachment mechanism (notshown) on one or more of its sides that enables docking unit 1200 to beremovably or non-removably connected (electrically, mechanically, orcombination thereof) to one or more other docking units and/or any othertype of device. Alternatively, some embodiments of docking station 1300can be a completely separate device that is not formed from a pluralityof individual docking units, but is instead manufactured as a singleunit.

FIGS. 12I-12D show various views of docking unit 1220. Docking unit 1220may include one or more of the components that are the same as orsimilar to those included in docking unit 1220, such electricalinterface component 1202, protrusions 1204A, 1204B, light emittingdevices 1206, 1208 and trough 1210. Like the other docks discussedherein, docking unit 1220 may be configured to facilitate communicationswith a printer and/or any other device. Docking unit 1220 may also beconfigured to connect to one or more power sources (e.g., analog todigital converter, mains power, battery, etc.) via power port 1222, ormore wired networks (e.g., the Internet, corporate intranet, etc.) viawired network port 1224 and/or any other devices via one or moreadditional cables and/or components (not shown). For example, ananalog-to-digital converter or other type of device can be connected topower port 1222. As another example, wired port 1224 can be connectedto, e.g., an Ethernet cable, USB cable, wireless communication port,and/or any other type communications component.

Docking unit 1220 may also include eject button 1226, which may beconfigured to decouple a printer or other device mated to docking unit1220. For example, in response to eject button 1226 being depressed by auser, plunger 1228 may protrude (as shown in FIG. 12I) from itsretracted position (as shown in FIG. 12J) and push the printer in anupward direction. Eject button 1226, plunger 1228 and an exampleinternal assembly that couples the two together are discussed further inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 14E and 14F.

The printer may also include detents and/or other type of receptacles(such as cavities 504, 602 discussed herein) that are configured toreceive and couple with retractable retention tabs 1230A and 1230B(retention tab 1230B is not shown in the rear isometric view of FIG.12I, but is shown in the top view of FIG. 12J). Retention tabs 1230A,1230B can be spring loaded, rounded members that can be retracted intothe housing of docking unit 1220 in response to a force being applied tothem. The upward force applied by plunger 1228 can be sufficient tocause the housing of docking unit 1220 to cause retention tabs 1230A,1230B to be retracted within the docking unit's housing, therebyallowing docking unit 1220 to decoupled from the printer (or other typeof device). A more detailed example of retention tabs 1230A,B arediscussed further in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 12K and 12L. Althougheject button 1226, plunger 1228 and retention tabs 1230A, 1230B are onlydiscussed in reference to a docking unit, one skilled in the art wouldappreciate that these (and other) features may be incorporated in otherdevices discussed herein. Similarly, various combinations and omissionsof features discussed herein may be included in devices and methods inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12K shows a more detailed view of retention tabs 1230A,B mounted ina dock's housing and/or any other type of apparatus. Retention tabs1230A,B and their relative placement may also (help) define the couplingarea of the dock.

FIG. 12L shows example components and shapes of the components ofretention tabs 1230A,B. For example, retention tabs 1230A,B may eachinclude spring 1232, spring mount 1234, flange 1236 and hemispheric tip1238. Spring 1232 may be configured to provide enough force to lock aprinter securely in the dock, while still being compressible in responseto a plunger pushing the printer in a direction orthogonal to that ofthe force exerted by spring 1232. Spring mount 1234 can be configured toreceive spring 1232. Flange 1236 can be configured to stop retention tab1230A,B from being ejected from the housing of the dock. Flange 1236 canalso be configured to exert a force on spring 1232 that is sufficient tocause spring 1232 to compress in response to a printer being removedfrom the dock.

FIG. 12M shows a more detailed view of an example electrical interface1202 and curved protrusions 1240 that may be included in docks inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein. Electrical interface1202 and curved protrusions 1240 and their relative placement in thedock may also (help) define the coupling area of the dock.

Curved protrusions 1240 may be similar to curved protrusions 1204A,B.However, curved protrusions 1240 may not be question marked shape, suchas curved protrusions 1204A,B, and may only include the curved portionof the question mark. Located below each curved protrusion 1240 isstopper 1242, an example of which is discussed in greater detail in FIG.12N.

Also shown in FIG. 12M are ribs 1244A and 1244B. Ribs 1244A and 1244Bcan be configured to prevent damage to interface 1202 that may otherwisebe sustained when a printer and/or other device is mounted to the dock.Ribs 1244A and 1244B can be, for example, 1.5 mm in height.Additionally, the dock's housing can be sloped at 1246A and 1246B.

FIG. 12N shows the bottom of stopper 1242 as mounted to a dock. Forexample, stopper 1242 can be mounted inside of the dock usingprotrusions 1248. Stopper 1242 can be assembled into the upper case ofthe dock by heat stake and be configured to close the opening crated inthe housing when manufacturing protrusions 1240 of the dock.

FIGS. 12O-12Q show an example of additional components that may beincluded in light emitting devices 1206, 1208. Light emitting devices1206, 1208 can be an LED illuminated light pipe made from diffusionpolycarbonate material. In some embodiments, the light pipe material canbe fogged. One or more mounting components 1250 and 1252 may be includedin light emitting devices 1206, 1208 to enable light emitting devices1206, 1208 to be incorporated into a dock.

To avoid a hot spot and make the light appear evenly illuminated to auser, four LEDs 1254A,B and 1256A,B, may be used in light emittingdevices 1206, 1208. For example, LEDs 1254A and 1256A can be used toilluminate light emitting device 1208, while LEDs 1254B and 1256B can beused to illuminate light emitting device 1206. One or more of LEDs1254A,B and 1256A,B may be a soft tool light pipe, which has had goodpreliminary test results.

As shown in FIG. 12Q, foam 1258 may be included in light emittingdevices 1206, 1208. Foam 1258 may help reduce the light interactionbetween light emitting devices 1206 and 1208.

Docking station 1300 is shown in FIGS. 13A-13E as including four docksthat each include its own electromechanical interface components, suchas those discussed in connection with FIGS. 12A-12D. Each dock can bemated to a printer, such as printers 200A, 200B and 200C shown in thefront isometric view of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13B. shows a rear isometric viewof docking station 1300 having one printer, printer 200A, mated thereto.

Docking station 1300 may have any suitable dimensions. For example, “L”shown in the top view of FIG. 13C may be 5.64 inches; “W” shown in thefront view of FIG. 13D may be 21.20 inches; and “H” shown in theright-side view of FIG. 13E may be 2.34 inches. Each dock of dockingstation 1300 may include an electromechanical interface (such as, e.g.,protrusions 1204A, 1204B and electrical interface component 1202) and acurved trough configured to receive a device, such as a printer 200,among other things. Although one or more of the docks included indocking station 1300 may include a different electromechanical interfaceand/or different size/shape than another dock included in dockingstation 1300.

One or more docks of docking station 1300 may also share one or moreuser interface components. For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, one pairof light emitting devices 1206 and 1208 can be included in dockingstation 1300. In other embodiments, each dock of docking station 1300 orvarious combinations of docks (e.g., pairs of docks) may have one ormore dedicated user interface(s).

FIG. 14A shows how a docking unit and/or docking station, such asdocking unit 1200 or docking station 1300, and/or any other apparatushaving a dock can be mounted to a wall with a printer, such as printer200, coupled thereto.

FIGS. 14B and 14C show various internal components of a docking unit.Like components have like reference numerals. FIG. 14B shows a top viewand FIG. 14C shows a bottom view.

In addition to some of the components discussed above, FIGS. 14B and 14Calso respectively show a top and bottom view of ejector assembly 1402that couples eject button 1226 and plunger 1228 together. Ejectorassembly 1402 can also be configured to convert a downward mechanicalmotion applied to eject button 1226 into an upward mechanical motion ofplunger 1228. A more detailed example of ejector assembly 1402 isdiscussed further in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 14E and 14F.

Also shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C is circuit board 1404, which may beconfigured to include one or more electrical connections and/orcircuitry to facilitate the flow of power, data and/or other types ofelectrical signals. In some embodiments, the dock's circuitry caninclude a control processor, memory and/or any other suitable component.For example, circuit board 1404 can include connection componentsbetween a primary and/or secondary RJ45 interface components and/or adirect current (“DC”) port. One or more of the ports included in thedock can be mounted inside the housing to avoid electrostatic discharge,among other things. For example, the communication port(s) and powerport(s) can be mounted 1 mm within the housing's exterior surface. Asreferred to herein, the “primary port” may be a port used forcommunications with Ethernet and/or other type of routing device,whereas the “secondary port” may be used to conduct daisy chaincommunications. In some embodiments, only the primary port may be usedto control the illumination of a visual indicator, such as lightemitting device 1206.

Circuit board 1404 can be mounted to frame 1406 as can Velcro 1408 andwall mounts 1410. Velcro 1408 and/or wall mounts 1410 can be used tomount the dock to one or more other of apparatuses and/or fasten theadaptor. Ribs 1412 may also be included in the dock. Screws 1414 may beused to mount circuit board 1404 to frame 1406. Ribs 1414 may be used toconstrain circuit board 1404 to frame 1406.

FIG. 14D shows a bottom view of the dock with the bottom portion of thedock's housing included (as opposed to FIG. 14C, which has the bottomportion of the dock's housing removed). Also shown in FIG. 14C are brassinserts 1416, which may be molded into the bottom of the dock when thedock is tooled. Rubber feet 1418 are also shown in FIG. 14C, which maybe configured to prevent the dock from slipping when placed on a tableand/or other type of surface.

FIG. 14E shows an example ejector assembly 1402. Ejector assembly 1402may include mounting members 1420A and 1420B. One or more of mountingmembers 1420A and 1420B may also include a sprint, such as spring 1422,which may be configured to exert a force that causes eject button 1226to remain up and plunger 1228 to remain within the housing and/orotherwise unobtrusive to the mounting of a printer in the dock. Spring1422 can be configured to allow a user to depress button 1226 withsufficient force to cause plunger 1228 to protrude and eject a printerfrom the dock. Mounting members 1420A and 1420B can also be used tomount ejector assembly 1402 onto support members 1424A and 1424B,respectively (though the angle of the drawing of FIG. 14E does not shownsupport member 1424B, but the angle of FIG. 14F does). The curved troughof support members 1424A and 1424B in combination with the rounded shapeof mounting members 1420A and 1420B can allow ejector assembly to rockon an axis running through the center of mounting members 1420A and1420B in response to eject button 1226 being depressed.

Ribs 1426 may also be included in ejector assembly 1402 as shown in FIG.14F. Ribs 1426 can aid in minimizing eject button 1226's potential towobble, while enable eject button 1226 to more easily move up and downsmoothly. Ribs 1426 may guide the movement of eject button 1226.

The printers and/or docks discussed herein can include circuitryconfigured to provide, for example, wired network access simultaneouslywith battery charging. In addition, some embodiments provide for aseamless, automatic transition between wireless network access to wirednetwork access when docked. FIG. 15 shows an exemplary method, namelyprocess 1500, that may enable a printer to automatically implement aseamless transition from wireless communications to wiredcommunications, and vice-versa, in response to being docked andundocked. In some embodiments, rather than implement a fully automatictransition, a user and/or other device(s) (such as a host device) may beincluded in the process of transitioning from wireless network access towired network access, and/or vice-versa.

FIG. 15, like FIG. 20 and the other methods discussed herein, may beimplemented by and/or with the processor and/or other components of aprinter, such as mobile printer 100, printer 200 and/or printer 800discussed above. Like some other processes discussed herein, process1500 is represented by a flow diagram in accordance with some exemplarymethods, computer program products and/or systems discussed herein,including printers 100, 200 and/or 800. It will be understood that eachoperation, action, step and/or other types of functions shown in thediagram, and/or combinations of functions in the diagrams, can beimplemented by various means. Means for implementing the functions ofthe flow diagram, combinations of the actions in the diagrams, and/orother functionality of example embodiments of the present inventiondescribed herein, may include hardware and/or a computer program productincluding a computer-readable storage medium (as opposed to or inaddition to a computer-readable transmission medium) having one or morecomputer program code instructions, program instructions, or executablecomputer-readable program code instructions stored therein. For example,program code instructions associated with FIG. 15 may be stored on oneor more storage devices, such as memory 806, and executed by one or moreprocessors, such as processor 804. Additionally or alternatively, one ormore of the program code instructions discussed herein may be storedand/or performed by distributed components, such as those discussed inconnection with printers 100, 200 and/or 800. As will be appreciated,any such program code instructions may be loaded onto computers,processors, other programmable apparatuses (e.g., printer 100, 200and/or 800) from one or more computer-readable storage mediums (e.g.,memory 806) to produce a particular machine, such that the particularmachine becomes a means for implementing the functions of the actionsdiscussed in connection with, e.g., FIG. 15 and/or the other drawingsdiscussed herein.

The program code instructions stored on the programmable apparatus mayalso be stored in a nontransitory computer-readable storage medium thatcan direct a computer, a processor (such as processor 804) and/or otherprogrammable apparatus (including other types of control circuitry) tofunction in a particular manner to thereby generate a particular articleof manufacture. The article of manufacture becomes a means forimplementing the functions of the actions discussed in connection with,e.g., FIG. 15 and the other methods included herein. The program codeinstructions may be retrieved from a computer-readable storage mediumand loaded into a computer, processor, and/or other programmableapparatus to configure the computer, processor, or other programmableapparatus to execute actions to be performed on or by the computer,processor, and/or other programmable apparatus. Retrieval, loading, andexecution of the program code instructions may be performed sequentiallysuch that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time.In some example embodiments, retrieval, loading and/or execution may beperformed in parallel by one or more machines, such that multipleinstructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Executionof the program code instructions may produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions executed by the computer, processor,other programmable apparatus, or network thereof provides actions forimplementing the functions specified in the actions discussed inconnection with, e.g., process 1500 of FIG. 15.

Process 1500 starts at 1502 and waits at 1504 for the printer to receivea docking signal. The docking signal can be any type of suitable signal,such as a logical 1 signal or a logical 0 signal applied to at least onepin of the printer's electrical interface interface. In someembodiments, the docking signal may be more complex and involve, forexample, bidirectional handshaking and/or execution of another type ofauthentication protocol, among other things.

If a docking signal has not been received at 1506, process 1500 returnsto 1504 and continues to wait for a docking signal. Once a dockingsignal is received at 1506, in some embodiments, the printer's circuitrycan wait at 1508 for a power signal before initiating wiredcommunications through a dock (such as those discussed above). In someembodiments, the printer may receive the power signal from the dock.

If a power signal is not detected and/or received by the printer at1510, process 1500 returns to 1508 and the printer's circuitry continuesto wait. In response to determining at 1510 that a power signal has beenreceived, the printer's processor can initiate wired communications at1512 and begin charging the printer's batteries. For example, theprinter's control circuitry (e.g., processor) may include firmware thatenables the printer to determine the docked state of the printer basedon, e.g., the presence or absence of external power through the dockinterface. While in the docked state, the printer may be configured toenter a docked mode, in which the control circuitry can to determinewhether to begin wired and/or wireless Ethernet communications. Theprinter's control circuitry can also be configured (based on, e.g.,firmware) to determine the appropriate internet protocol address to useon each interface, in accordance with, for example, the protocoloutlined in one or more Request For Comments (RFC), such as, e.g.,RFC2131 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). One or more otherfunctions may also be performed at 1512, such as, e.g., conductinghardware testing (including testing, e.g., control circuitry, memory,file system integrity, and/or printhead, among other things).

In some embodiments, one or more of these steps discussed herein mayalso include providing visual, audible and/or tactile responses to theuser. For example, a wireless icon on the printer may be removed fromthe display screen and/or a wired connection icon may presented. Asanother example, a beeping noise may occur.

At 1514, the printer's processor can cause one or more of the printer'swireless components (such as its WiFi component, BlueTooth component,and/or any other wireless components) to cease network communications.In some embodiments, one or more (other) wireless components (such as aBluetooth component) may continue to conduct wireless networkcommunications while the printer is docked. For example, moreenergy-intensive and/or longer range wireless communications may bedisabled while docked, whereas less energy intensive and/or shorterrange communications may continue while the printer is docked. In someembodiments, certain types of communications (such as firmware updates)may only occur while docked to conserver battery power when not docked.

In some embodiments, rather than discontinue the use of one or morecomponents, the printer's circuitry may be configured to determine whatthe components are being used for and discontinue particular uses basedon docked usage instructions stored in the printer's and/or any otherstorage device the printer's control circuitry can access. For example,in response to determining it is docked, the printer can be configuredto cease WiFi communications for accessing the Internet (and instead usethe dock's wired Ethernet connection), but still be configured toconduct peer-to-peer networking with other printers. In someembodiments, the printer can receive information upon being docked thatinforms the printer what functionality is enabled by the dock, which theprinter can use to determine which functionality is to be disabledand/or enabled. For example, any functionality that may be providedthrough the dock may be ceased absent the dock (such as, e.g., accessingthe Internet or corporate network), but any non-docked functionalityenable (such as communicate with a BlueTooth slave device) the dockfails to the printer to perform may still be performed by the printer.

In addition to increasing the printer's battery life by conducting atleast some types of communications using the dock (e.g., Ethernetcommunications, accessing the Internet, etc.), the printer may enter adocked mode at 1516. In the docked mode, the printer may bepreprogrammed to, dynamically configured to, or otherwise be enabled toreceive firmware and other types of updates (such as updates to firmwareand/or available fonts), undergo diagnostic testing, report usage dataand other information to a host device, update print formats, and beremotely controlled, among other things. In some embodiments, at 1516the printer may notify a network host device of its docked status bygenerating and sending a signal (using wireless and/or wiredcommunication protocols) indicating the printer is docked and/or hasentered a docked mode. Instructions outlining the printer's docked modemay be stored locally at the printer, stored in memory included in thedock, and/or provided to the printer from a remote location in responseto the printer generating and sending the docked status signal. In someembodiments, the dock may include circuitry to perform some or all ofthe functionality discussed herein in connection with a printer. Forexample, the dock may be configured to generate a docked status signal(in addition to or instead of the docked status signal generated by theprinter), which is sent to a network host device.

Also, as noted above, one or more displays, sounds and/or tactileresponses may be generated that indicate to the user what the printerand/or other system components are currently doing. For example, asfirmware is being updated, a display may be generated and presented thatindicates file downloads are in progress. If a firmware update fails(e.g., while downloading or programming thereafter), the printer can beconfigured to automatically revert back to the previous firmware versionand/or inform the user of the failed firmware update.

In executing 1512, 1514 and 1516, while a user and/or other device maybe involved in some embodiments, the printer may, for example, switch IPaddresses and/or take any other action automatically and without userinteraction. The transition from wireless communications to wiredcommunications can appear seamless to the user (e.g., the user does nothave to enter configuration data and/or otherwise take part in thetransition for wireless to wired communications, other than physicallyplace the printer correctly onto the dock). In some other embodiments,one or more visual indicators (e.g., light emitting devices, displayscreen, printing of human/machine-readable indicia, etc.), audiocomponents (e.g., audio transducers, etc.), tactile components (e.g.,vibration components, etc.), networking components, any other type ofcomponent(s), or combination thereof, can be used to indicate that theprinter is properly docked, charging, executing the seamless transition,has executed the seamless transition, entered a fault state, experiencedan error, any other type of information, or combination thereof.

The printer can be configured to then wait at 1518 for the dockingsignal to cease and/or to receive an undocked signal from the printerand/or dock. If the printer is still docked at 1520, the printercontinues to wait at 1518. In response to the printer being undocked(e.g., the docking signal is no longer being received), the printer'sprocessor and/or other circuitry can be configured to determine that theprinter has been detached from the dock and is now mobile. The printercan then initiate wireless communications at 1522 and cease attemptingto perform wired communications at 1524. The printer may then enter, at1526, a mobile mode which may include, for example, activating somecomponents (e.g., such as a global positioning system, among others)and/or enabling some functionality, and/or deactivating other componentsand/or functionality (e.g., dimming or turning OFF user interfacecomponents, such as display screens). In some embodiments, at 1526 theprinter may notify a host by sending wireless communications indicatingthe printer has entered wireless mode. (In some embodiments, the dockmay be configured to generate and/or send the undocking notification inresponse to an eject button on the dock being depressed and/or theprinter otherwise unmated from the dock.) A network host device maythen, for example, increase certain communications (e.g., more activelyand/or frequently monitor the location of the mobile printer) and/orlimit certain communications to the mobile printer (such as thoseinvolving confidential and/or executable code, among other things).Communications that were limited may be queued for future wiredcommunications the next time the printer is docked and/or enters dockedmode and checks-in with the host.

In executing 1522, 1524 and 1526, while a user and/or other device maybe involved in some embodiments, the printer may, for example, switch IPaddresses and/or take any other action automatically and withoutreceiving any specific indication from a user to do so. For example, thetransition from wired communications to wireless communications canappear seamless to the user, because the user does not have to enterconfiguration data and/or otherwise take part in the transition forwired to wireless communications, other than physically remove theprinter form the dock in some embodiments. After entering the wirelessmode at 1526, process 1500 can return to 1504 and operate accordinglywhile waiting for a docking signal.

Network, Accessory and Other Types of Interfaces

As noted above, the printer, dock, and/or other devices can include oneor more electrical interface components, such as electrical contacts 904and electrical interface component 1202, in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein. For example, electrical contacts 904 cancomprise a 16-pin interface that couples with a dock as discussed above.As referred to herein, a “pin” is an electrically conductive contactthat is electrically insulated from one or more adjacent contacts. Eachpin can take any suitable shape. A pin can be a flat, rectangular pieceof metal, a rounded hemisphere, a long narrow cylinder and/or any othersuitable shape that can facilitate “wired” communications. A 16-pininterface, for example, includes an electrical interface component thatincludes sixteen individual contacts that are electrically isolated orotherwise insulated from each another. As referred to herein, “wired”includes any nongaseous communication medium that can facilitatetransmission of a transitory signal, such as metal and optical fiber,among other things.

Each of the interfaces discussed herein can include one or more dockingindicator pins that the control circuitry can use to determine when theinterface component of the printer is mated with the docking station.For example, the printer's connecting component can be configured toreceive a signal (e.g., a ground signal, a high signal, etc.) over aparticular pin included in the docking station's electrical interfacecomponent 1202. In some embodiments, the signal provided over thedocking indicator pin can causes the printer's circuitry to generate ofan interrupt command and, for example, execute at least a portion ofprocess 1500 discussed above.

FIG. 16 shows various pin maps, namely pin map 1602, pin map 1604, pinmap 1606 and pin map 1608, in accordance with some embodiments discussedherein. The pin numbers (i.e., 1-16) in each pin map of FIG. 16collectively show an example of the relative placement of one or morepin assignments (e.g., a docked number pin may be placed at the end of alinear row of contacts and next to a positive charge pin). In someembodiments, different arrangements of the pin assignments may be used(as compared to those shown in FIG. 16) and/or one or more additional oralternative pin assignments may be included in the interface. Forexample, instead of two of the ground pins shown in pin map 1602, theremay be a USB data pair included in the 16-pin interface.

Pin map 1602 shows an example of how a 16-pin interface can be utilized.An advantage of the 16-pin interface shown by pin map 1602 includes theability to use an i.MX25 Ethernet port, which may include an integratedFast Ethernet Controller (FEC), (and/or a variety of other types ofports) in one interface. Another advantage that may be appreciated by a16-pin interface having the assignments of pin map 1602 is that QNX realtime operating system firmware could be omitted from the device(s)including the 16-pin interface. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the 16-pininterface can include one or more contacts I²C dedicated electricalcontacts at pins 6 and 7. Like other interfaces discussed herein, the16-pin interface can be implemented as a cable interface (having a maleor female connector component), as metal contacts (spring loaded,embedded, or otherwise), and/or as any other type of signal carryingmedium.

Pin map 1604 shows an example of how a 12-pin interface can be utilizedby some embodiments discussed herein. An advantage of the 12-pininterface shown by pin map 1604 includes a relatively low docking pincount, USB host functionality may be enabled and a lower susceptibilityto electrostatic discharge. In addition, if included in a dock and aprinter, the 12-pin interface mapped as shown by pin map 1604 can causethe dock to bear the cost of the Ethernet-related components (as opposedto the printer).

Similar to the 16-pin interface discussed above, the 12-pin interface(and/or any other interface discussed herein) can be configured toenable, for example, the printer to conduct wired communications (viaEthernet, USB and/or other protocol) when the printer is docked and thedock is powered and/or connected to a network. Each of these interfacesmay therefore be used to, for example, increase a mobile or other typeof printer's battery life. In addition, for example, the printer may beconnected to the Ethernet while the printer is charging through a set ofcontacts located in the same interface. The interface may facilitate thetransfer of power used to charge a battery using, e.g., pins 2 and 3.This enables several use scenarios, including updating firmware,updating formats and uploading usage data, and other discussed herein.In other embodiments, the printer can be configured only execute sometypes of wireless communications when being charged by a docking stationand/or charging station, such as discussed above.

Pin map 1606 shows an example of how a 19-pin interface can be utilizedby some embodiments discussed herein. The advantages of the 19-pininterface shown by pin map 1606 include the ability to use an i.MX25Ethernet port (and/or a variety of other types of ports) in oneinterface, the option to omit QNX firmware from the device(s) includingthe 19-pin interface and, if included in a dock and a printer, the19-pin interface mapped shown by pin map 1606 can cause the dock to bearthe cost of the Ethernet-related components (as opposed to the printer).Pin map 1606 can include facilitate the transfer of signals between theMAC and the PHY. Pin map 1602, for comparison, can facilitate thetransfer of signals between the PHY and magnetics. As such, pin maps1606 and 1602 can be different interfaces and comprise different sets ofsignals.

Pin map 1608 shows an example of how an 8-pin interface that can beutilized by some embodiments discussed herein. An advantage of the 8-pininterface shown by pin map 1608 includes a relatively low pin count,which avoids the cost of Ethernet-related components in any device thatutilizes it.

While many implementations of fast Ethernet interfaces require at leastthree discrete components (MAC, external PHY and a combinedmagnetics/connector), these components may be split between printer anddock. For example, an initial implementation can include the MAC and PHYwithin the mobile printer, with the magnetics/connector contained in thedock (using pin map 1602). A second example implementation has the MACwithin the mobile printer, with the PHY and magnetics/connector (usingpin map 1606), resulting in a reduced part count inside the mobileprinter, and an increased part count within the dock. A third exampleimplementation (using pin map 1608) would not include the MAC, PHY ormagnetics/connector in either the mobile printer or dock, reducing partscount in both elements.

FIG. 17 shows table 1700, which includes an “x” next to various types ofcommunication protocols and other functions that may be facilitated byone or more types of electrical interface components, such as electricalcontacts 904 and electrical interface component 1202, having varying pincounts (i.e., 15, 12, 8, 10, 13, and 5) in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein. Each “x” in FIG. 17 indicates afunctionality that may be offered by a interface having the number ofpins identified in the corresponding column header. For example, abattery pack may require at least four interfaces to be charged.Therefore, a electrical interface component intended to enable batterycharging would need at least four pins for the battery and at least onepin to convey a docking signal (discussed further in connection with,e.g., FIG. 15) for a total of five pins.

Smart Battery

Returning to FIG. 9, battery cover 902 can protect one or more batteriesand/or battery packs from which a device, such as printer 200, isconfigured to receive electrical power (e.g., when not properly docked).In addition to the batteries being charged while in a device, such as aprinter, the batteries can be charged in a dedicated battery chargingdock device. FIGS. 18A-18H show examples of battery charging dock 1800and battery pack 1802.

FIG. 18A shows, for example, an isometric front view of battery chargingdock 1800 electromechanically coupled to battery pack 1802. While matedas shown in FIG. 18A, electricity may flow from a mains (or other) powersource, through cable 1804, through battery charging dock 1800, througha interface (not shown) to battery pack 1802, thereby enabling batterycharging dock 1800 to charge battery pack 1802. FIG. 18C shows a topview of battery charging dock 1800 mated to battery pack 1802.

Battery charging dock 1800 may have any suitable dimensions. Forexample, “W” shown in the front view of FIG. 18D may be 3.70 inches; “H”shown in FIG. 18D may be 2.08 inches; and “L” shown in the right sideview of FIG. 18E may be 2.60 inches.

FIGS. 18F-18H show an example of how battery pack 1802 can be mated withbattery charging dock 1800. Battery charging dock 1800 can include amounting interface similar to or the same as those discussed above inconnection with, e.g., battery charging dock 1800. For example, batterycharging dock 1800 can include one or more curved protrusions configuredto mate with a notch, slot and/or other type of receptacle included inbattery pack 1802. For example, battery pack 1802 can approach batterycharging dock 1800 in the direction shown by motion arrow 1806 in FIG.18F. When battery pack 1802's mechanical interface (e.g., notches) comesinto contact with the mechanical interface of battery charging dock 1800while moving in the direction of motion arrow 1806, the mechanicalinterface of battery charging dock 1800 can cause battery pack 1802 tomove in the direction of motion arrow 1808 shown in FIG. 18G. Whenmated, battery pack 1802 may rest on battery charging dock 1800 as shownin right-side view of FIG. 18H.

In some embodiments, battery pack 1802 may include one or more smartbatteries that include circuitry enabling battery pack 1802 tocommunicate with a network via battery charging device 1800. In thisregard, battery pack 1802 can be tracked similar to or the same asprinters consistent with, e.g., the fleet management examples discussedfurther below. For example, charging device 1800 may include controlcircuitry and/or communications circuitry, which can be configured tofacilitate wired data communications (via, e.g., cable 1804) and/orwireless communications (such as those discussed herein).

Some printers, docks and/or other battery charging devices in accordancewith embodiments discussed herein may be configured to use and/or chargevarious types of battery packs that may have differing voltage outputsand/or other functionality (such as, e.g., smart functionality).Accordingly, such printers, docks and/or other charging devices may alsobe adapted to mechanically, electrically, and/or electromechanicallyrecognize if a higher power battery is inserted therein (e.g., behindbattery cover 902 shown in FIG. 9) and adjust the charging device'sfunctionality automatically. For example, a printer may be configured tooperate effectively with batteries configured to provide a 4.2 voltoutput (“4.2 volt batteries”) as well as with batteries configured toprovide a 4.3 volt output (“4.3 volt batteries”). In such embodiments,charging circuitry, such as charging circuitry 1902 shown in FIGS. 19Aand 19B, may be included in a printer (such as printers 100, 200 and/or800), a dock (such as docking unit 1200, docking unit 1220 and/ordocking station 1300) and/or any other charging device. Chargingcircuitry 1902 can then enable the charging device to automaticallydetect the type of battery installed (e.g., either a 4.2 volt battery ora 4.3 volt battery), which can enable the printer (or other device) toadjust various printing and other settings and/or perform otherfunctionality (such as facilitate the transfer of information from asmart battery to a remotely located network device). When in a printer,for example, charging circuitry 1902 may be circuitry (such as circuitry1018) coupled to and/or included within the printer's control circuitry(such as, e.g., processor 804).

FIG. 19A shows charging circuitry 1902 coupled to battery pack 1904.Charging circuitry 1902 may have at least three pins couple to batterypack 1904. For example, charging circuitry 1902 may use its positivepin, negative pin and temperature pin when battery pack 1904 isinstalled. Charging circuitry 1902 may have at least one additional pin,a chemistry pin, which is not used with battery pack 1904. In responseto determining the battery is installed and chemistry pin is unused,charging circuitry 1902 can be configured to determine that battery pack1904 is a first type of battery pack. For example, charging circuitry1902 can be configured to determine that battery pack 1904 includes two4.2 volt batteries and that battery pack 1904 lacks the circuitry and/orother functionality to be a smart battery. As another example, chargingcircuitry 1902 can be configured to determine that battery pack 1904lacks smart-battery capabilities (some examples of which are discussedherein). As a result, charging circuitry 1902 may access memory (such asmemory 806), retrieve and execute instructions for standard charging andfacilitate the charging of battery pack 1904 in accordance with thestandard charging instructions (such as at 8.4 volts for two 4.2 voltbatteries).

FIG. 19B shows charging circuitry 1902 coupled to battery pack 1906.Unlike battery pack 1904, charging circuitry 1902 may determine that itschemistry pin is being used with battery pack 1906. For example, in 4.3volt and/or smart battery applications, the battery may ground thechemistry pin. As another example, the battery may provide a positivevoltage to the chemistry pin. In response to determining the chemistrypin is being used, charging circuitry 1902 can be configured todetermine that battery pack 1906 is a second type of battery pack. Forexample, charging circuitry 1902 can be configured to determine thatbattery pack 1906 includes two 4.3 volt batteries and/or that batterypack 1906 includes the properly programmed circuitry to function as asmart battery. As a result, charging circuitry 1902 may access memory(such as memory 806), retrieve a smart battery charging parameter andfacilitate the charging of battery pack 1904 in accordance with thestandard parameter (such as at 8.6 volts for two 4.3 volt batteries). Insome embodiments, specific smart batteries may be configured to instructcharging circuitry 1902 what voltage to charge the smart battery with,which may enable charging circuitry 1902 to charge the smart batterywithout accessing its own memory.

In addition to or instead of retrieving charging parameters, thecharging device may be configured to enter a smart battery and/or highervoltage mode (and/or any other type of mode associated with theparticular battery pack and/or type of battery pack). Instructionsdescribing functionality associated with the mode can be stored inmemory (that is, e.g., included in the printer, included in the battery,and/or stored remotely at a network database). As noted above, a smartbattery, for example, can provide a higher voltage and include its owncircuitry (e.g., control circuitry, communications circuitry and/ormemory, among other things), and the smart battery mode of the chargingdevice can cause the device to be configured to utilize these featuresof the smart battery. For example, a smart battery can provideadditional information to a printer, which the printer may be configuredto process and/or transmit (e.g., relay) to the network for fleetmanagement purposes, some examples of which are discussed below.

As another example, when the chemistry pin is unused (and/or any otherindication is given), the device can determine the battery is of atraditional type and be configured to operate in a traditional batterymode. While in the traditional battery mode, the device can draw orprovide power without attempting further communications with thebattery. The amount of power drawn or provided can also be determined bythe parameters associated with traditional battery mode. For example,the traditional battery mode may draw or provide less power from/to thebattery than when in smart battery mode. Instructions describing theparameters and other functionality associated with the traditionalbattery mode can be stored in memory (that is, e.g., included in theprinter and/or stored remotely at a network database).

The printer, such as printers 100, 200 and/or 800, can also beconfigured to execute some or all of process 2000 of FIG. 20 using itscircuitry (such as circuitry 1018 and/or processor 804). Process 2000starts at 2002 and proceeds to 2004 at which a battery is received bythe printer. For example, the battery is installed behind cover 902 intobattery pack container 1008 at 2004.

At 2006, the printer can query (e.g., wait to receive a power signal, agrounded signal, etc) a designated input pin/port (such as the chemistrypin of the printer's battery interface) and/or otherwise wait to receivea hardware interrupt from a smart battery. In some embodiments, theprinter may need to be receiving power (from the battery and/or anothersource) before executing 2006. For example, when a smart battery isinstalled at 2004, such as lithium ion battery with smart technology(e.g., equipped with memory, an integrated circuit, and/or transponder),the smart battery may be configured to ground the printer's chemistrypin, whereas when a legacy or other type of battery is installed theprinter's chemistry pin may not make electrical contact with a thebattery and/or may not be grounded by the battery even if contact ismade.

At 2008, when a hardware interrupt and/or other type of signal isreceived by the printer at the chemistry pin, process 2000 proceeds to2010 at which the printer determines that the battery is a smartbattery. In some embodiments, although not shown in FIG. 20, the printercan be configured to authenticate the smart battery before proceeding.If the battery is authenticated, the battery parameters, includingcurrent charge status, whether or not the batter is charging, batterylife status, battery serial number and/or any other information providedby the battery can be stored by the printer, uploaded to a remote deviceand/or otherwise made available should a device request and/or userrequest to the information. (Similarly, other information stored on theprinter and/or remotely may be made available in response to a requestfor the information.) If the battery cannot be authenticated, theprinter's operations can be disabled and/or an error message can bedisplayed, and process 2000 can end or proceed to 2018 (skipping 2014).

At 2012, the printer may store in memory an indication that thecurrently installed battery is a smart batter. The printer may also takeother actions it is configured to execute, such as notify a host orother device information related to the smart battery installed and/orfacilitate network access for each smart battery.

At 2014, the printer can be configured to utilize various featuresprovided by the smart battery. For example, the printer's circuitry(e.g., processor 804, communications interfaces 808 and/or circuitry1018) may communicate with each smart battery and, in response, receiveinformation regarding each smart battery's remaining charge, operatingtemperature, and/or other battery data. As long as the battery is notremoved at 2016 from the printer, the printer can be configured tocontinue to utilize the features enabled by the smart battery. After atleast one smart battery is removed at 2018, the printer will wait at2020 to receive another battery and process 2000 can then return to 2004once the new battery is received. In some embodiments, the printer maybe configured to utilize some smart battery-related functionality evenif the battery is removed (such as if, e.g., the battery has its ownwireless communications interface).

Subsequent to receiving a battery at 2004, querying the input pin/portat 2006, and not receiving the expected signal at 2008, the printer canbe configured to determine at 2020 that the battery lacks properlyfunctioning smart battery capabilities. As long as the battery is notremoved at 2022 from the printer, the printer can be configured tocontinue to utilize the battery (e.g., draw power from the battery).After the battery is removed at 2022, the printer will wait at 2024 toreceive another battery and process 2000 can then return to 2004 whenthe new battery is received.

Print Server

In some embodiments, one or more printers in a network of devices (wiredand/or wireless) can be configured to function as a print server for oneor more other printers connected to either the print server's USB hostport, Bluetooth, serial port or other type of port (which may beseparate from or in addition to the interface components discussed inconnection with FIG. 16). In some embodiments, while functioning as aprint server, the printer can continue to function as a printer (e.g.,print and/or encode indicia onto media). Furthermore, one or more slaveprinter(s) receiving commands from the print server device can act as apass thru to the next printer in a “daisy chain” configuration, thuscreating a small virtual network of printers (such as a print cluster).As shown in FIG. 21, a host device can be configured to communicate withmore than one print server device, which in turn each communicate withone or more printer slave devices.

For example, in FIG. 21, Printer 1 can communicate with the host deviceover an 802.11 or other type of wireless or wired connection and act asa Bluetooth master to slave devices, Printers 1A. The hose device maybe, for example, a remotely located network device (such as a networkserver, personal computer, handheld device, cellular phone and/or othercomputing device), among other things. As such, printers 1A can bepaired to Printer 1 as Bluetooth slave devices. This can enable, amongother things, a group of people functioning independent of wires toconduct inventory control in a retail store and/or warehouse. More orless than two slave devices may communicate with Printer 1 via Bluetoothand/or other type of communications. Printer 1 can also be enabled toact as an access point for a wireless print cluster comprising twoPrinters 1A as shown in FIG. 21.

As another example, Printer 2 can be docked and connected to the hostdevice using a wired connection. Printer 2 can also include a USB hostport and any necessary hardware, software and/or firmware. Printer 2Acan be connected to Printer 2's USB host port and also have a USB hostport and any necessary hardware, software and/or firmware. Printer 2Bcan be connected to Printer 2A, thereby creating a daisy chainconnection to the host device via USB (P2 USB Host->P2A USB P2, P2 USBHost->P2B USB P2A, etc). This can allow Printer 2 to forward data fromthe network to any printer in the daisy chain.

In some embodiments, Printer 2 may connect wirelessly to the hostdevice, and be used to provide, for example, multi-printing at a mobileprint cart. For example, each printer in the daisy chain can beconfigured print a different color label. The printer daisy chain mayalso be established using a multi-printer docking station, such as thosediscussed above, using I²C (which may be provided using, e.g., pins 6and 7 of the interfaces discussed in connection with FIG. 16).

As another example, the print server device, Printer 3, can be connectedto the host device via a wired connection (e.g., through a dock) andcommunicate with slave devices, Printers 3A, wirelessly. Othercombinations and/or types of connections may also be used to enable aprint server network.

Remote Serviceability and Fleet Management

As discussed above, some docking stations in accordance with embodimentsdiscussed herein may have a wired Ethernet and/or other networkconnection, such as those shown in connection with, e.g., FIG. 16. Whendocked, the wireless connection of the printer may be automaticallydisabled and the wired connection enabled as discussed above inconnection with, e.g., FIG. 15. The printer can then be updated andmaintained while the battery is being charged. One of the advantages toupdating and maintaining printers while being charged includes utilizingtime that may otherwise be down time for the printer. This, in additionto other configurations, methods and features discussed herein, canfacilitate the maximization of the usable run time of the printers.

As noted above, the printer can seamlessly transition from wireless towired communications in response to being placed properly (or otherwise)in the docking station. Likewise, a seamless transition from wired towireless communications may occur in response to the printer beingremoved from the docking station. An input pin on the docking interfacecan be used to detect when the printer is in the docking station. Theprinter's interface making electrical contact with the input pin of thedocking station can be used to generate an interrupt (referred to as adocking signal) that can be used to disable one or more of the wirelesscommunications interface and enable the wired communications interface.

Printer system software management systems and methods can enableprinters to, for example, download firmware, update configurations,download fonts, and perform remote diagnostics. The ability to manageprinters remotely can be used to provide support to printers potentiallyhaving operational issues and also find aging batteries for replacementbefore the batteries cease to work properly and cause unexpected printerdowntime. Remote diagnostics can comprise, for example, batterymanagement, such as remotely determining battery charge levels, batteryhealth (e.g., good, replace, poor), battery age, and whether batteryreconditioning is required, among other things. Remote diagnostics canalso comprise monitoring printer status (e.g., out of paper, head latchopen, printing, media cover open, network status, peeler sensor blocked,peeler bar engaged, among other things), print server device status,environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, supplied power,among other things detected by one or more sensors), and/or any otherinformation that may improve printer and/or network device performance.

Remote serviceability may be available to a mobile printer while themobile printer is docked and/or otherwise connected to the Ethernet orother type of network as discussed above. In some embodiments, remoteserviceability may only be enabled while connected to a docking stationowned or associated with a particular user and/or mobile printer. Remoteserviceability can facilitate fleet management of a plurality of mobileprinters, including monitoring, tracking, analyzing historicalinformation associated with mobile printers (such as information relatedto the battery charging of mobile printers). Monitoring, tracking, andanalyzing historical information can be assisted by providing eachmobile printer and/or one or more components of each mobile printer aunique identifier (such as a battery identifier, printer identifier,radio identifier, location identifier, Ethernet dock identifier, amongothers). System software management (such as generation of reports) canalso be provided with other fleet management services. In someembodiments, a printer 200 having wireless connectivity may beconfigured to act as a print server for non-wireless printers that maybe connected to the same Ethernet or other network to which printer 200is connected.

CONCLUSION

Various other features for, modifications to and other embodiments ofthe inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in theart to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. For example, while examples discussed herein are often relatedto mobile printers, one skilled in the art would appreciate that othertypes of printers, such as desktop or less mobile printers, as well asother types of devices may benefit from embodiments discussed herein.Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included herein. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A printer, comprising: a wireless communications component; aninterface component configured to: couple with a dock; and facilitate awired network connection; and control circuitry configured to: determinewhen the interface component is mated with the dock; in response todetermining the interface component is mated with the dock, the controlcircuitry is configured to: disable printing functionality of theprinter; cease wireless communications with the wireless communicationscomponent; and facilitate wired communications with a remote networkserver via the interface component. 2-52. (canceled)